A HEAD OF THE CURVE

DAYNA CLARKE goes on the hunt for final year degree students from MCAST, whose online portfolios make us a tad green with envy as they shake the local design scene.

Some of MONEY'S favourite projects come from design students who believe in their work enough to go after the recognition they deserve. These determined creatives recognise that it doesn’t take decades of experience to create something of merit, and that’s exactly how they rise to the top, with sheer creativity, a willingness to learn and the motivation to succeed.

Honouring the up-coming designers just getting started in the field is one of the many reasons we looked forward to compiling this design edition.

TYLER CALLEJA JACKSON 25, Birzebbugia / Studying - BA (Hons) in Photography

What inspired you to follow this path?

Every single day since secondary school, I have always wanted to capture and create content. My father used to do photography as a hobby and that always intrigued me. Years later, I am now in my final year for my Bachelor of Arts in Photography and super excited to continue working in my profession, working with fellow local artists and collaborating on projects.

What’s been your greatest achievement to date?

The greatest achievement for me was that I continued to study and pursue my profession even after a two-year break from college. I started working full-time with a company, in a field completely unrelated to what I studied. Throughout those two years, I felt a growing urge to go back to college and start my BA in photography. Now, three years down the line, I am months away from graduating! To date, this is my greatest achievement as I have challenged myself and kept pushing myself forward to create and document through photography.

Can you tell us about your final year project?

My thesis is based on the Representation in Portraiture: Intellectual Disability. The project is entirely based on becoming friendly with certain individuals who have an intellectual disability in order for them to allow me within their comfortable, safe space. While interviewing them, I will be photographing their portraits, highlighting their attire, physical behaviour, expressions and background. The reason for this is to highlight how people with intellectual disabilities represent themselves in a different but similar way as we all do on a day-to-day basis, however, more specifically. They may not be able to express themselves in words but they can express their thoughts through their portrait.

What are your plans following graduation?

The plan is to move to Amsterdam and find a job in photography working in a studio (hopefully). Amsterdam is a dream place for me to live as it is rich in culture and has a lovely lifestyle for a young artist who has moved away from home for the first time. It also had the opportunity of providing photography jobs for people who have spent years perfecting themselves. Unfortunately, in Malta, I feel the profession is not yet fully supported.

www.tylercallejajackson.com

SHIRLEY-ANNE BALDACCHINO 22, Zebbug / Studying - BA (Hons) in Spatial Design

What inspired you to follow this path?

I always had a passion for both art and design. After getting my diploma and a higher national diploma in art and design, I decided to pursue further my passion in this industry. I chose spatial design because it appealed to me as a career path and the idea of designing a space for others to live, work or use daily is something that excites me.

What’s been your greatest achievement to date?

I believe that my greatest achievements to date are being trusted with live case studies throughout the last two years. I was asked multiple times to work in residential spaces, mainly by young couples who are moving into new homes, which I think is a good accomplishment for someone who is still studying.

Can you tell us about your final year project?

My final year project is exploring the benefits of designing a dementia-friendly ward.

My research is being done to create awareness about dementia and to improve the well-being and environment of care homes and wards: studying in depth how colour, materials, lighting and the overall layout plans of the space can promote orientation, encourage communication between patients and staff and help both mentally and physically the people using the space.

What are your plans following graduation?

After graduation, my aim is to design spaces that will help others. Apart from my interest in residential and commercial design, I am highly interested in designing for a need and purpose, for example designing hospitals, care homes, shelters, and being able to design spaces for people with special needs.

www.shirleybaldacchino.com

GEORGE LEWIS 24, Qormi / BA (Hons) in Graphic Design

What inspired you to follow this path?

Before I applied for this degree I used to work as a website administrator with a local company. I worked for three years until I realised that I am passionate about graphic design. This job experience served me as an inspiration to get to know what career path I wanted to follow.

What’s been your greatest achievement to date?

In the first year of the course, I was selected to participate in an Erasmus+ project “Becoming a designer in Europe”. The project’s ultimate goals were to broaden students’ professional horizons and promote movement amongst aspiring designers from diverse fields across Europe. This project so far was my greatest achievement.

My toughest challenge so far was also within my first year. Since I was working before I decided to apply for this course, I found the first month of school very difficult, demanding and difficult to adapt to school life.

Can you tell us about your final year project?

My final year project is based on branding. Something that I want to further my knowledge upon is the process and approaches that must be taken to evolve an organisation into a global brand, and what are the responsibilities of designers within that organisation.

What are your plans following graduation?

After graduation, I would like to find a job as a graphic designer within the industry in order to get the necessary hands on experience – after some years of working in the field, I would consider opening up my own business independently.

www.lewisgeorge.com

Photos by Malcolm Agius Photography